HFTP Blog
October 16, 2020

Understand the Present, Celebrate the Future of Hospitality at HITEC

HITEC
Written by Briana Gilmore

One of the most compelling aspects of attending the world’s largest and oldest hospitality technology event brand are the brilliant minds who present the education program. These established industry experts are sharing their knowledge on an array of topics important to hospitality finance and technology professionals: from data security to operating investments, digital transformation to disaster response, team building to payment trends. Meet some of the big names you should know at Cyber HITEC 2020 and register to attend today if you have not already.

HITEC keynotes include an innovation and disruption expert, as well as an established industry academic.

Cyber HITEC will kick off at 11 a.m. CST (U.S. and Canada) on Tuesday, October 27 with the Opening General Session and HFTP Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame Induction. The opening keynote speaker is none other than John Picard – a visionary and design innovator who understood the “Internet of Things” long before connectivity became the driver that it is today. He connects visionary thinking with emerging technologies to drive successful projects for corporations, commercial buildings, college campuses and even entire towns.

A true disruptor, Picard understands what it will take to get back to the business of travel. After all, it is his job to go out into the world, discover, explore and see what is around the corner in order to figure out what is going to change the world. He understands that technology will be the key to restoring trust and confidence in travel again. For a preview into Picard, read the recap of the HFTP Hangout session he moderated in April, and plan to attend his session at Cyber HITEC. It is sure to be an eye-opening and illuminating presentation on innovation.

Capping off Cyber HITEC, the Closing General Session will take place at 5:45 p.m. CST (U.S. and Canada) on Thursday, October 29. Entitled “Is Customer Service an Oxymoron or a Leadership Tool for Management?” it will be presented by Justin Taillon, MBA, Ph.D., CHTP – HFTP Global director, HITEC advisory council chair and industry academic. Taillon is currently a professor and department head at Highline College in Seattle, Washington USA. He has served in various roles with major hospitality brands including Hilton, Marriott and Starwood throughout his career and prior to joining academia.

In his presentation, Taillon will expand your conceptualization of the term “customer service” so that you can visualize it as a leadership-level approach to team member management and supervision. Break through the barriers we have engrained in ourselves that negate effective team member management in the customer service paradigm. Taillon is a dynamic speaker who encourages you to have fun while you reflect on your own leadership styles in this session that is more relevant than ever, as multi-generational staff learn to work with each other in a time where most of us must now work from home.

Meet some of the women leading in hospitality technology.

Women working in the industry can be mutually characterized by their passion for hospitality and their affinity for the technical. From there, their paths diverge. In “How Women in Hospitality Technology Shape the Industry,” hear from some of these women on their professional journey, the challenges they have faced, and the ways in which they have been inspired. Take this opportunity to appreciate their real-life experiences and use it as a catalyst for your own career path.

This special session will be held on Thursday, October 29 at 2:45 p.m. CST. Immediately following the session, continue the discussion in a networking meet-up. The speakers include:...

Meet the lineup of expert speakers covering the sessions.

A complete catalogue of speakers is available on the Cyber HITEC website. From Alex Alt, SVP and general manager at Oracle Hospitality, to Yvette Vincent, introduced above – and the 65+ faces and names in between – you can meet all of the speakers who will be logged into Cyber HITEC to share their knowledge, insights and experiences. When you attend their session live, you have the opportunity to engage in a live Q&A with the speakers via the platform’s chat feature.

Go online to familiarize yourself with this incredible line-up and start planning your agenda today.

Tour today’s industry-leading solution providers.

Get inspired in the HITEC Virtual Exhibit Hall. These are experts in hospitality technology in their own right, providing world-class products and services brought together into one virtual space. Additional educational opportunities are offered in the exhibitor theatres. These sessions give you the tools and strategies you need to effectively use technology solutions to streamline operations, maximize profits and make data-driven decisions. Take a look at the schedule of events to explore the different tech solutions featured in these exhibitor theatres.

Network with professionals just like yourself.

The other professionals you should get to know are those who are attending Cyber HITEC just like you. There will be networking opportunities throughout Cyber HITEC that will allow you to engage, share ideas, ask questions and give advice with other professionals who understand what it is like to work in the hospitality industry. You will be able to engage with other professionals during the live educational sessions through the chat feature.

As well, there will be special opportunities for young professional and student peer networking, women in hospitality technology networking, HFTP chapter engagement and more. Again, take a moment to explore the full schedule of events to see what networking opportunities stand out to you....

Register to attend and start planning your agenda today.
See you at Cyber HITEC!

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